On Saturday, January 14th, Kettle Art will open its doors for the premiere of “ArtHash: Open Salon”. We sat down with the “un-curator”, Sonia Semone, to learn a bit more about this show.

Intermingled are images of pieces that will be part of this upcoming show by Liz London, Ricardo Paniagua & Michael SirHendrey.

Enjoy.

Kettle – Just so everyone can get to know you a bit better, Sonia, can you tell is a bit about yourself?

Sonia – Oh goodness, this could be a long answer. The short answer is, I am short, I am from Tyler, and I am down with Art.

Kettle – How long have you been involved in the Dallas art scene? In particular, how did you become involved with Kettle Art?

Sonia – Being from Tyler left me with few possibilities over the years to show my work so I started selling works online on Ebay. I had a nice cushy little business if the truth were told, and then one day the whole thing went dead with a site change they made. The result was obvious — depression. After feeling sorry for myself, I decided to blog. I didn’t know anything about blogging, but I wanted to help artists somehow — and that is how ArtHash was born. I also started a group on Facebook. Now the ArtHash group is a spirited fun group of artists, that not only joke a lot– but help others with art information. It was from this group that a show idea came up. All we needed was a venue and that’s where Richard Ross came in. He said he might be able to help, and he came through with the Kettle Venue. I am most grateful to him and to Kettle for letting us put on a show. The show is going to be kick ass by the way.

Ricardo Paniagua

Kettle – Why did you decide to curate a show at Kettle?

Sonia – I like to say it is “Uncurated” in that no one was told they could not hang work. We took in as many as we thought we could hold. By doing this there will be an unfiltered look at what’s going on in the art world around us.

Kettle – So, the name of the event you are “un-curating” is “ArtHash Open Salon Show”. Where did you get the name? How did you arrive at that title?

Sonia – The Salon in the title refers to the hanging style. It will not be hung in the gallery method. Open means everyone was welcome up until we thought we would run out of space.

Kettle – What is this show about?

Sonia – The show is about artists bringing in work to a great local gallery and putting on something unique, and having fun while doing it. This show is going to be an art party. Who wouldn’t want to come to that?

Liz London

Kettle – What is its theme?

Sonia – The show is open to all mediums and every idea so there is no set theme.

Kettle – Where did you come up with the idea?

Sonia – The idea came when the ArtHash group on Facebook were talking about how it is hard to show work these days. There are so many associated fees and competitions to enter. It was a long post really, but the end result was the thought — why don’t we just have our own show, the way we want to.

Kettle – What was your inspiration?

Sonia – My personal inspiration has been watching all the artists work their asses off every day for their art. I just want to help facilitate that somehow. To try and make something fun that we can all enjoy and be excited about participating in.

Liz London

Kettle – Who are the artists that are represented in this show & can you tell us a bit about a few of them?

Sonia – I want to list them all, because that is what this show is about — everyone, not just one person. Lets see, about them: they rock!

Sonia – Everyone that is part of ArtHash was invited for this show. Once we hit around 50 artists we knew that we could not really take anymore for this particular show.

Kettle – What did they have in common (or not) that made you want them all in a show together?

Sonia – We are all part of ArtHash

Liz London

Kettle – Describe what one can expect at the opening of this show.

Sonia – I hope that everyone has a great time. That experience is great all around. You can also expect great art!

Kettle – Is there anything else you might want to say about this upcoming show?

Sonia – Besides the fact that it will be fantastic, not too much else.

Kettle – Do you have any plans to curate a similar show in the future?

Sonia – I definitely have a few tricks up my sleeve. If so, when & where? TBA

Michael SirHendrey

Kettle – Do you have any other shows coming up?

Sonia – I am going to be part of the Alley’s house Incrementum II fundraiser. It will be a great show. I love their model as well- 50% to the charity and 50% to the artists. How can you beat that? Oh– and they gave every one of us a canvas.

Kettle – Where else can one interact with Sonia Semone (online or face-to-face)?

When a group of artists began hashing gallery politics and the limitations often presented by juried shows, the artists did what they do best. They stepped outside the lines. They reached outside the box, and they came up with an original idea. An idea to present an unfiltered art display, unlike any other exhibit you’ve experienced.

ArtHash Open Salon Show will not be curated, with expectations of presenting the public with an uninhibited view of what’s really happening in the Local art scene. This display will be unique in the sense that over 50 participating artists will display artwork of their own choosing. There will be nothing blocking the way for you to view fresh, innovative, raw talent. In this day and age where stars are formed by public opinion on venues like youtube, we believe the same applies for the art world. You decide!

Assuming you won’t miss the stuffy gallery scene, this is your chance to see what the artists want you to see. All art will be reasonably priced, allowing the perfect opportunity for the seasoned collector, as well as the first time collector.

If you love art, then step outside the lines with the ArtHash artists and join Kettle Art in experiencing art as it is intended… unabashed, and unbelievably imaginative.